Mechanism for securing covers on barrels



(No Model.)

W. 1-". BOWDEN. MEGHANISM FUR SECURING COVERS 0N BARRELS, 550. N0;531,898. Patented Jan. 1, 1895.

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WILLARD F. BOIVDEN, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

MECHANISM FOR SECURING COVERS ON BARRELS, &0.

SIEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,8 98, dated January1, 1895.

Application filed February 20, 1893. Serial No. 463.001 No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLARD F. BOWDEN, of Lynn, in the county of Essexand Common wealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvementsin Mechanism whereby to Secure Covers on Barrels or Similar Bodies, ofwhich the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,is a specification.

In the modern practice of displaying the contents of barrels and boxesfilled with apples, fruits and the like-,it is common to place over thebox or barrel 2. cover having its outer rim suitably formed to projectover the barrel edge and supporting a netting of wire, or sim ilarmaterial, through which the contents of the box or barrel are exposed toview and at the same time protected from interference by obtrusiveobservers.

It is the object of this invention to provide means whereby said covermay be detachably secured in place over the barrel or box and a lockingdevice whereby to prevent the removal of the cover, exceptby personsincharge of the necessary operating key.

.In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of alongitudinal, central section of a barrel having this invention appliedthereto. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a barrel and this invention appliedthereto. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a detail section.

In carrying out this invention, as represented in the present instance,a cover is employed composed of a central sheet of wire netting, a, andpreferably having cross-bar, (Z, and an outer rim, 6, attached to andsupporting the wire and preferably extended downwardly at the outeredges to receive within its embrace the top end of a barrel or similarbody, as shown in Fig. 1. Projecting downwardly from the bar, d, arehangers, h, in which is supported the attaching mechanism. Asrepresented in the present instance, said mechanism comprises a tubularbar, f, having one end pointed or otherwise fashioned to engage thebarrel, when pressed against the same. In the chamber of said bar is aspring, is, arranged to bear with one end against a suitably formedshoulder,b, and having'its opposite end in bearing contact with theinner end of ban-n, which bar, at, has its outer end also pointed orsuitably formed to engage with the barrel, when pressed against thesame, and is fitted to slide longitudinally in the chamber of bar,f.Said bar,f, is suitably formed to receive and engage with thescrew-threaded plunger, m, one end of which extends downwardly to bearagainst the bar, n, and the top end of which is adapted to receive thekey whereby the plunger may be turned within its socket and moved'thustoward and from the bar, n, in order to grip and release the bar, 72, asoccasion requires it.

Obviously, the key-receiving end of the plunger may be fashioned toreceive only keys of novel formation. The bar, a, permitsiongitndinal,sliding movements through the bar,

f, and thus allows of being moved endwise in order to permit engagementwith barrels of varying sizes. The endwise movement of bar, 11, towardbar, f,- is arranged to take place against the tension of spring, 7o,whereby the bars, when released, are automatically forced apart and intoengagement with the barrel side, as shown in Fig. 1.

By a suitable operation of the plunger, m, the bars,f, it, may be heldtogether against the contracted spring, 7c, in position to permitplacementof the cover down over the barrel, as shown in Fig. 1. Then, amovement of said plunger releasing said bars, allows the spring, 7a, toact, whereby the bars are forced apart and their outer ends engaged inthe barrel sides. Another movement of the plunger will operate to securethe bars in place and prevent removal of the cover until the key isapplied and the plunger again moved to release the bars, f, n, and allowtheir disengagement from the barrel sides, whereupon the cover may belifted.

It is noted that the holding mechanism is located beneath the screen, a,and operated from above by a key which to that purpose is extended downthrough an opening in the Screen. This construction is considered preferable as it removes the holding mechanism from exposure to meddlesomeobservers.

I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secnre 1. A cover for barrelsand the like comprising a cap, a hollow arm supported thereby, and asecond arm movable in said hollow arm; said arms being so constructedand arranged that they engage a part of the barrel whereby the cover issecured in place, substantially as described.

2. A cover for barrels and the like com pris' ing a cap, an armsupported thereby, a second arm carried by said firstarm, and a springbearing against said arms whereby they are normally pressed in adirectionsuch that they co-operate to clamp the barrel; substantially asdescribed.

3. A cover for barrels and the like comprising a cap, a hollow armsupported thereby, a second arm movable in said hollow arm, said armsbeing so constructed and arranged that they engage a part of the barrelwhereby the cover is secured in place, and a spring in said hollow armbearing upon the movable arm; substantially as described.

4. A cover for barrels and the like comprising a cap, a hollow armsupported thereby, a second arm movable in said hollow arm,said armsbeing so constructed and arranged that they engage a part of the barrelwhereby the cover is secured in place, a shoulder upon said second arm,and a projection from said hollow arm in the path of said shoulder;substantially as described.

5. A cover for barrels and the like comprising a cap, a hollow armsupported thereby, a second arm movable in said hollow arm, said armsbeing so constructed and arranged that they engage a part of the barrelwhereby the cover is secured in place, a shoulder upon said second arm,and a removable projection from said hollow arm in the path of saidshoulder; substantially as described.

P. A cover for barrels and the like comprising a cap, a hollow armsupported thereby, a second arm movable in said hollow arm, said armsbeing so constructed and arranged that they engage a part of the barrelwhereby the cover is seen red in place, a shoulder upon said movablearm, and a screw projecting from said hollow arm in the path of saidshoulder; substantially as described. l

7. A cover for barrels and the like comprising a wire netting, a supportdepending therefrom, a hollow, tapered arm carried by said support, asecond tapered arm, said arms being so constructed and arranged thatthey engage a part of the barrel whereby the cover is secured in place,a shoulder upon said second arm, a screw projecting from said hollow armin the path of said shoulder, and a spring in said hollow arm bearingupon said movable arm; substantially as described.

8. A cover for barrels and the like comprising a cap, a hollow armsupported thereby, a second arm movable in said hollow arm, said armsbeing so constructed and arranged that they engage a part of the barrelwhereby the cover is secured in place, and a screw projecting from saidhollow arm and bearing upon said movable arm; substantially asdescribed.

Signed at Lynn, Massachusetts, this lst day of February, A. D. 1893.

WlLLARD F. EOXVDEN.

Witnesses:

O. B. TUTTLE, A. M. TUTTLE.

